What are recommended procedures when preparing an outage response plan?

The correct answer emphasizes the importance of having robust configuration management practices in place when preparing an outage response plan. Configuration backups ensure that you have a reliable copy of system settings and data, allowing for quick restoration in case of an outage. Documentation plays a critical role in outlining procedures, responsibilities, and contact information that team members will need during an incident. Diagrams help visualize the architecture and interdependencies of the system, aiding in quicker troubleshooting and restoration of services.

These elements are foundational to an effective response plan, as they provide both the necessary information and resources to respond swiftly and minimize downtime. In contrast, while testing, training, and budgeting may be relevant, they do not directly relate to the immediate procedural aspects needed for an outage response. Similarly, aspects like SLAs and PaaS cater more to service definitions rather than specific response actions, and end-user notifications and system upgrades may be outcomes or considerations post-outage rather than preparation activities. Post-mortem analysis is useful for learning from events after they occur, but is not a preparation strategy.